Rod-shaped bacteria produce cellulose, recognizable as a thread-like structures.
Researchers at ETH Zurich in Switzerland have reported in journal Science Advanceson a way of 3D printing materials infused with live bacteria. The development may lead to devices such as implantable blood filters and bacterial factories that produce biomolecules for drugs and other therapies. A myriad of other applications may find use from this technology.
The researchers developed a hydrogel ink within which bacterial cultures can be placed. The hydrogel, made of pyrogenic silica and hyaluronic acid, which has long chain molecules, provides strength to the objects to be printed. Culture medium to feed the bacteria is also added to the mix and the printing process is gentle, allowing the bacteria to remain vibrant and the medium to keep feeding it. Additionally, the current setup can print using four different inks at the same time, allowing up to four different bacterial cultures to be present in a single object.
The researchers created objects out of Pseudomonas putida, a bacteria that can decompose phenol, a common chemical byproduct, and Acetobacter xylinum, a bacteria that poops out nanocellulose. The excreted nanocellulose has potential for use in treating wounds, potentially leading to dressings full of live bacteria constantly working to heal wounds.
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